2 x Applications folders

Kemik · 12 Dec 2010 at 16:29

Hi all,

Apparently it's very normal to have a /Applications and ~/<user>/Applications folder. My concern is my dad's iMac has the same applications in both, give or take a few. This is because he's installed Applications by dragging them in to his user/Applications folder after doing click and drag from the icon to the Applications shortcut in the .dmg.

I don't want to delete duplicates (even things like Safari is in both) without checking if it will delete the applications.

Anyone had this issue before?

NickK · 12 Dec 2010 at 17:02

Firstly, /Applications is the only place defined by Apple for applications. Mac App store applications also go under /Applications and all data will go under the User directory.

Secondly this isn't normal.

FreeStream · 12 Dec 2010 at 18:53

There is an Applications folder in your User folder, however mine is empty.

It think Applications are allowed in both folders, as it would simply be retarded for Apple to put an Applications folder in the user folder if they didn't allow for things to be put there.

I think it's more useful for computers that are shared, IE. If there are Apps one user doesn't want another user to use or due to licensing or whatever other reasons there may be.

Spyhop · 12 Dec 2010 at 22:58

The .app packages are essentially read only, so I don't think it matters as long as you have permission to access the folder they're in.

Concorde Rules said:
There is an Applications folder in your User folder, however mine is empty.

That's certainly not standard on all Macs. I don't think I've ever seen it, though I've always been the only user on my Macs and I don't remember much about <=Tiger.

FreeStream · 13 Dec 2010 at 14:29

Spyhop said:
The .app packages are essentially read only, so I don't think it matters as long as you have permission to access the folder they're in.

That's certainly not standard on all Macs. I don't think I've ever seen it, though I've always been the only user on my Macs and I don't remember much about <=Tiger.

It's always been there on every OS X installation i've ever had

Make a new user, and see for yourself

Kemik · 13 Dec 2010 at 21:05

Instead of answering my question I've made everyone question their own application setup

FreeStream · 13 Dec 2010 at 23:10

Kemik said:
Instead of answering my question I've made everyone question their own application setup

I know for a fact your supposed to have two Application folders. No debate on that front at all.

I wonder why your father has Applications in the user folder, especially Safari.

Easiest way of solving the issue would be to select all the apps in the User Apps folder, drag them into the main HD folder, ignoring all the duplicates (Although you must make sure the latest version of the app goes into the main Apps folder).

Then delete all the apps in the user apps folder.

Generally speaking, if he is the only person to use the computer then there shouldn't be anything in there.